Killarmy () is an American

hip hop Hip-hop or hip hop (originally disco rap) is a popular music genre that emerged in the early 1970s from the African-American community of New York City. The style is characterized by its synthesis of a wide range of musical techniques. Hip- ...

group that is affiliated with

Wu-Tang Clan Wu-Tang Clan is an American hip hop collective formed in Staten Island, New York City, in 1992. Its members include RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and, until his death in 2004, O ...

. It is one of the earliest and most successful of the many Wu-Tang affiliates along with

Sunz of Man Sunz of Man is a New York–based List of Wu-Tang Clan affiliates, Wu-Tang Clan-affiliated group that currently consists of Prodigal Sunn, Killah Priest, Hell Razah, and 60 Second Assassin (emcee), 60-Second Assassin. The group's first incarna ...

. Killarmy's music consists of lyrics and songs focused on the themes of military combat, war, terrorism, conspiracy theories, and the teachings of the

Five-Percent Nation The Five-Percent Nation, sometimes referred to as the Nation of Gods and Earths (NGE/NOGE) or the Five Percenters, is an Black nationalism, Afro-American Nationalist movement influenced by the Nation of Islam founded in 1964 in the Harlem secti ...

. The group's instrumentals are usually somber with ominous dark undertones and a raw, gritty production style provided by 4th Disciple.

Career

Originally consisting of New York rappers 9th Prince (

RZA Robert Fitzgerald Diggs (born July 5, 1969), better known by his stage name RZA ( ) or the RZA, is an American rapper, record producer, composer, actor, and filmmaker. He is the '' de facto'' leader of the hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, having pro ...

's younger brother), Islord, Dom Pachino, Killa Sin (Power's younger brother), and

Ohio Ohio ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Lake Erie to the north, Pennsylvania to the east, West Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Indiana to the ...

-based producer 4th Disciple; it added Beretta 9 (a.k.a. Kinetic 9) and Shogun Assason to its membership in 1996, also from

. Killarmy released numerous singles from 1995 to 1997, including "Swinging Swords" and "Camouflage Ninjas" and appeared on the

Sunz Of Man Sunz of Man is a New York–based List of Wu-Tang Clan affiliates, Wu-Tang Clan-affiliated group that currently consists of Prodigal Sunn, Killah Priest, Hell Razah, and 60 Second Assassin (emcee), 60-Second Assassin. The group's first incarna ...

collaborations "Wake Up" and "Soldiers of Darkness". The group's debut album, '' Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars'', was released in 1997, just after the release of

's second album and a 12-inch single containing two tracks from the album, which were "Wu-Renegades" and "Clash of the Titans." In 1997, the group's manager General Wise was shot dead in

Steubenville, Ohio Steubenville ( ) is a city in Jefferson County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. Located along the Ohio River west of Pittsburgh, it had a population of 18,161 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. The Weirton–Steubenville m ...

, (where several members and

members such as the

had spent time in their youth), but the group pressed on undeterred, appearing on the '' Wu-Tang Killa Bees: The Swarm'' compilation and each making numerous appearances on other

projects, Wu-Tang affiliates' projects, non-

-related albums such as

ONYX Onyx is a typically black-and-white banded variety of agate, a silicate mineral. The bands can also be monochromatic with alternating light and dark bands. ''Sardonyx'' is a variety with red to brown bands alternated with black or white bands. ...

– '' Shut 'Em Down''; '' Vordul Mega – Verbal Relaxation''; and movie soundtracks such as '' Soul in the Hole''. The group's second album, '' Dirty Weaponry'', was released in 1998, and its third album, '' Fear, Love & War'' was released on September 11, 2001. In 2010, 9th Prince confirmed that a new album was in the works between the five remaining members (besides Killa Sin) with the first single to be called "The Sound of Gunz" produced by Bronze Nazareth dropping that June. However, production problems and inner dealings have not allowed for the album to be completed. In April 2011, Killarmy released a new single called "One Shot" produced by 4th Disciple. A greatest-hits album was released weeks later by the Wu Music Group label. In March 2019, Killarmy member, Kinetic 9, was featured in the song "Death 13" on Cryptik Soul's album '' Killer's Blood''. In January 2020, Kinetic 9 and ShoGun Assason released a seven track EP called “The Truth is Even Darker” with San Francisco-based producer Sticky Ricardo. In 2020, Killarmy released its long-awaited fourth album, "''Full Metal Jackets''", which was produced by 9th Prince and featured Prodigal Sunn, Killah Priest, and 60-Second Assassin (

); Timbo King (Royal Fam);

Cappadonna Darryl Hill (born September 18, 1969), better known by his stage name Cappadonna, is an American rapper. He is a member of the hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan and is a member of the hip hop group Theodore Unit together with Ghostface Killah. ...

(Wu-Tang Clan); La The Darkman; Reverend William Burk;

Ill Bill William Braunstein (born July 14, 1972), professionally known by his stage name Ill Bill, is an American rapper and record producer from Brooklyn, New York City. Having gained fame in the underground hip hop group Non Phixion, Ill Bill is known ...

(Non Phixion); William Cooper (Black Market Militia); Stic Man (Dead Prez);

Masta Ace Duval Clear (born December 4, 1966), better known by his stage name Masta Ace, is an American rapper and record producer from New York City. A lead member of Mr. Magic's hip hop collective Juice Crew, he is best known for his guest appearance alo ...

;

Planet Asia Jason Green (born October 24, 1976), better known as Planet Asia, is an American rapper from Fresno, California. He is prominent for being one half of the now reunited Hip Hop duo the Cali Agents and is currently a member of the groups Gold Cha ...

;

Ras Kass John R. Austin II (born September 26, 1973), better known by his stage name Ras Kass, is an American rapper. He is a member of the hip hop Supergroup (music), supergroup The Hrsmn, along with Canibus, Killah Priest, and Kurupt in 2014. He is als ...

; Willie the Kid; and El Camino. In February 2024, Killarmy released a new single, "Winter Wars 2", which was produced by 9th Prince and features

(Wu-Tang Clan), La The Darkman,

Killah Priest Walter Reed (born August 16, 1970), better known by his stage name Killah Priest, is an American rapper, a member of Sunz of Man, and a Wu-Tang Clan affiliate who was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He is known for his intensely spiritual ...

Shyheim Shyheim Dionel Franklin (born November 14, 1979) is an American rapper from New York better known simply as Shyheim. He initially gained fame as a teenager, releasing his debut album ''AKA the Rugged Child'' at the age of 14 in 1994. He has sp ...

, and Young Dirty Bastard.

Discography

Guest Appearances (Killa Sin)

Videography

References

{{Authority control African-American musical groups Priority Records artists Loud Records artists Five percenters Hip-hop groups from New York City Musical groups established in 1995 Wu-Tang Clan affiliates

Career

Discography

Guest Appearances (Killa Sin)

Videography

See also

References